Courts and the law

Russian S-400 anti-aircraft missile launching system is displayed at the exposition field in Kubinka Patriot Park outside Moscow on Aug. 22, 2017 during the first day of the International Military-Technical Forum Army-2017.

Analysis

As Trump admin drops Halkbank case, S-400 last big hurdle in US-Turkey ties

The move eases a key source of friction with Turkey ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara.

Amberin Zaman

By Amberin Zaman

Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, (R) shakes hands with Viktor Orban, Hungary's prime minister, during a news conference on April 3, 2025 in Budapest, Hungary.

With Hungary’s ICC U-turn, Israel loses a key European ally

Hungary’s parliament voted to remain in the International Criminal Court, reversing a planned withdrawal and marking a shift in Budapest’s approach to Israel and the EU.

Ozgur Ozel

Majority in Turkey rejects court ruling ousting CHP’s Ozel, poll shows

A new poll shows a majority in Turkey rejects the court ruling that ousted main opposition leader Ozgur Ozel.

Turkish riot police use water cannon to disperse protesters during a rally called by ousted opposition leader Ozgur Ozel, days after a court dismissed him from office, in Izmir on May 26, 2026.

Turkey: Thousands defy police to rally for ousted CHP leader Ozel

Tens of thousands of CHP supporters rallied for Ozgur Ozel in Izmir on Tuesday in a major show of defiance after a court ousted him from the party leadership.

Latest News

Explainer

Why Sunni frustration is growing over Lebanon’s amnesty law

Women hold portraits of jailed Islamist cleric Sheikh Ahmad al-Assir during a protest calling for his release in Beirut on April 24, 2025.

Turkish court ousts CHP leadership amid opposition crackdown

Leader of Turkey's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Ozgur Ozel addresses the audience during a rally in Istanbul on April 9, 2025.

Analysis

Iran tightens wartime crackdown across Kurdish, Baluch ethnic regions

Baluch Iranian youths cross a street in Zahedan, in the southeastern province of Sistan-Baluchistan bordering Afghanistan, on Dec. 18, 2025.

A correspondent in Tehran

By A correspondent in Tehran

In Tehran, reporting on politics

Israel's Netanyahu suing New York Times over column on Palestinian rape

DEBBIE HILL/AFP via Getty Images

Analysis

Can Israel's Supreme Court mitigate threats and avert constitutional crisis?

Israel’s Supreme Court opened hearings Tuesday on the amendment to limit its powers in what could soon become a constitutional crisis.

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Members of Lebanon's LGBTQ community attend a picnic the coastal city of Batroun, north of Beirut, on May 21, 2017, as part of the Beirut Pride week aimed at raising awarness about the rights of the community. / AFP PHOTO / IBRAHIM CHALHOUB (Photo credit should read IBRAHIM CHALHOUB/AFP via Getty Images)

Culture

Lebanon: Backlash as MPs introduce bill to decriminalize LGBTQ+ relationships

Some Lebanese leaders have intensified their campaign against the LGBTQ+ community after news emerged of a bill to repeal an anti-LGBTQ+ provision of the Penal Code.

The interim head of Ennahda, Mondher Ounissi, in an undated photo.

Who are Ennahda leaders arrested in Tunisia's latest crackdown?

The arrests are the latest against figures opposed to President Kais Saied, who has cemented his one-man rule since July 2021.

Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves 10 Downing Street after meeting Britain's Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, London, March 24, 2023.

To appease Biden, Israel’s Netanyahu floats judicial compromise, Saudi progress

With his trip to the United States just around the corner, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is willing to do almost anything, including halting the judicial overhaul, to get a photo op with President Joe Biden.

AHMAD GHARABLI/AFP via Getty Images

Arab Israelis go on strike as crime wave devastates community

Arab Israeli municipalities, businesses and community centers are on strike today, demanding law enforcement agencies do more to stem the violence affecting towns and villages across the country.

US Vice President Joe Biden (L) listens to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu talk during joint statements in the prime minister's office in Jerusalem on March 9, 2016. Biden implicitly criticised Palestinian leaders for not condemning attacks against Israelis, as an upsurge in violence marred his visit. / AFP / POOL / DEBBIE HILL (Photo credit should read DEBBIE HILL/AFP via Getty Images)

Why are Israel's ex-Shin Bet chiefs urging Biden not to host Netanyahu?

Two former directors of the Israeli Shin Bet — Ami Ayalon and Yuval Diskin — call on President Joe Biden to support the Israeli protest movement against the judicial overhaul by not inviting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House.

Nour Hajjar

Lebanon: arrest of standup comedian Nour Hajjar sparks fears despite release

Beirut already undergoing economic and political paralysis, was struck this week by arrest of a standup comic who joked about Lebanon's army and offended religious figures five years ago.

Beatrice Farhat

By Beatrice Farhat

In Beirut, reporting on regional news, culture, conflict

Israeli Rabbi Eliezer Berland (C), who is suspected of sexual abuse in Israel, arrives at court in Haarlem, on November 17, 2014, with his lawyer Louis de Leon (R). AFP PHOTO / ANP / SANDER KONING ++netherlands out++ (Photo credit should read Sander KONING/AFP via Getty Images)

Israeli rabbi, convicted sex offender, asks Ukraine to lift visa ban

The notorious Rabbi Eliezer Berland, convicted in Israel of sex offenses, is trying to get Ukrainian authorities to lift a three-year travel ban and allow himself and his followers to perform their traditional pilgrimage to Uman.

Arab Israelis demonstrate against organized crime and calling on the Israeli police to stop a wave of intra-communal violence, Umm al-Fahm, March 12, 2021.

Analysis

Does Israel’s government want to curb deadly crime wave in Arab sector?

Despite electoral promises, National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has nothing to show in terms of stopping spiraling violence in Arab Israeli towns and villages.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

JALAA MAREY / AFP

Israel's Druze community on strike after quadruple homicide

Israel's Druze community is shocked by the killing of four men in broad daylight, including a former soldier who was running for local office.

Getty images

Families of Israel’s missing Yemeni babies continue search for truth

The families of Yemeni babies and toddlers who disappeared 70 years ago are still fighting for justice.

Efroni T-6 Texan II planes take off during an air show at the graduation ceremony of Israel Air Force pilots at the Hatzerim base in the Negev desert, near the southern city of Beer Sheva, Israel, June 27, 2019.

Analysis

Netanyahu’s tension with Israeli security brass boils over amid accusations of dictatorship

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu tries concealing from the public the damage caused to the readiness of the IDF by the refusal of reserve officers to show up for duty.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense